About the Aging Matters Project

Since they were born, members of the Baby Boomer generation have played a big role in shaping American culture. In 2011, the first of the boomers turned 65. As they age, the vast number of people entering their senior years will undoubtedly have an impact on how our communities understand and respond to the needs of older citizens. By the year 2020, Tennessee's population of people between the ages 65-74 is expected to grow by almost 48%.

Following in the footsteps of NPT’s previous multi-year, socially-engaged and award-winning projects (Next Door Neighbors and NPT Reports: Children’s Health Crisis), NPT Reports: Aging Matters is a major initiative designed to open a community-based conversation about what older citizens in Middle Tennessee need to optimize their quality of life and what the community needs to do to prepare for a coming explosion in our aging population. During a three to five year period NPT will focus on issues such as caregiving, finances, end-of-life issues, dementia and Alzheimer’s through at least six documentaries, televised town halls or panel discussions, Aging Matters updates, community engagement conversations, a project website, interactive OVEE screenings and DVD distribution.